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Ulysse nardin freak x ops

The Wind Up – Watch News #255


Another week down, another round-up of all of the latest watch releases and news of the past seven days in our regular series, The Wind Up. In this week’s edition, we’ll be featuring a handful of new and exciting watches from the likes of Ulysse Nardin, Blancpain, TAG Heuer and A. Lange & Söhne. Happy reading!

A lange söhne lange 1 perpetual calendar
A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar | Image: Supplied

A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar

Perhaps one of the most coveted watchmakers on the planet, A. Lange & Söhne is no stranger to creating beautiful micro-masterpieces. And without question one of its absolute staples is the Lange 1. This asymmetrical work of art is a fine balance of proportions, ratios and workmanship. And one of the most impressive of the Lange 1 collection would be the Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar. 

Now introduced in platinum-and-black-dial guise, this new reference 345.036E aptly dubbed “Darth” is a piece of pure horological craftsmanship. Beating below the surface is Lange’s L021.3 automatic perpetual calendar movement, which is mostly visible through a semi-openworked gold rotor. Needless to say, the finishing is truly second to none. Pricing is deemed on a need-to-know basis, but I think it’s safe to say that if you have to ask…

Price: Price on request

Brand: A. Lange & Söhne
Model: Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar
Reference no.: 345.036E
Diameter: 41.9mm
Calibre: L021.3
Power reserve: 50 hours

Tag heuer monaco chronograph night driver
TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Night Driver | Image: Supplied

TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Night Driver

TAG Heuer has introduced its latest iteration of the Monaco in the new Monaco Chronograph Night Driver. Limited to a very exclusive 600 pieces, the Monaco Chronograph Night Driver is a spectacle of nostalgia, monochrome colour palettes, and modern design. What we have with the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Night Driver is a really interesting aesthetic that looks incredible in the dark.

With thanks to lume-galore, the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Night Driver has a really cool luminescent look at night, with a luminescent chapter ring and sub-dials making the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Night Driver look more like a space-age glowing bit of tech than a traditional piece of mechanical watchmaking. Very cool stuff.

Price: AUD$13,800

Brand: TAG Heuer
Model: Monaco Chronograph Night Driver
Reference no.: CBL2181.FC6515
Diameter: 39mm
Water resistance: 100m
Calibre: Calibre Heuer 02
Power reserve: 90 hours

Ulysse nardin freak x ops
Ulysse Nardin Freak X OPS | Image: Supplied

Ulysse Nardin Freak X OPS

New from Ulysse Nardin is the Freak X OPS. This unique and super stealthy take on the esteemed Freak X brings about the use of contemporary materials and a camouflaged colour palette, elevating the already very dramatic aesthetic of the Freak X to new heights.

The Ulysse Nardin Freak X OPS is clad in DLC titanium and a magma carbon composition has an open-worked dial complete with the Freak’s iconic time-telling mechanism completely on display. The Ulysse Nardin Freak X OPS is powered by the maison’s in-house calibre UN-230 and comes strapped to either a khaki green or black fabric strap made from recycled fishing nets.

Price: USD33,800

Brand: Ulysse Nardin
Model: Freak X OPS
Reference no.: 2303-270-2A-KAKI/0B
Diameter: 42mm
Water resistance: 50m
Calibre: UN-230
Power reserve: 72 hours

Blancpain fifty fathoms 70th anniversary act 3
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 3 | Image: Supplied

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 3

Blancpain ruffled a few feathers a couple of weeks back, and here it comes again, this time with something that the haute horlogerie-loving faithful will surely appreciate. Here is the brand new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 3. Encased in satin-brushed 9K Bronze Gold, Blancpain’s latest is a beautiful rendition of the original “Mil-Spec” Fifty Fathoms.

Its thick black ceramic bezel, vintage Super-Luminova and grey-white moisture indicator are a nod to the functionality of these kinds of watches from a generation ago, while the display case back shows the 1154.P2 movement leaves us calibre connoisseurs well and truly satisfied. The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 3 comes on a NATO-style strap, but damn this would look insane on a matching bracelet, too.

Price: USD32,000

Brand: Blancpain
Model: Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 3
Reference no.: 5901-5630-NANA
Diameter: 41.3mm
Water resistance: 300m
Calibre: 1154.P2
Power reserve: 100 hours

Longines mini dolvevita
Longines Mini DolceVita ref. L5.200.4.71.6 | Image: Supplied

Longines Mini DolceVita

Quiet luxury in a nutshell, the Longines Mini DolceVita ref. L5.200.4.71.6 is Swiss-made with a reliable L178 quartz movement and is ready for the wrist of your significant other. The rectangular silver-coloured case is perfectly dainty, while the Roman rectangular indices on the dial are elegant for the perfect balance. Above all, it’s the newly-designed stainless steel bracelet which, thanks to its 198 links, enhances the jewelled spirit of the watch and is sure to offer all-day comfort.

Price: AU$1,850

Brand: Longines
Model: Mini DolceVita
Reference no.: L5.200.4.71.6
Movement: L178 Quartz
Case size: 21.50mm x 29.00mm
Water resistance: 30m

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